Colchicine

Description

Colchicine is an anti-gout agent which is used to prevent gout attacks and Familial Mediterranean Fever. It should be started at low doses and increased gradually. It is not recommended in patients with a known history of kidney and liver disease.

Side effects

Major & minor side effects for Colchicine

  • Diarrhea
  • Nausea and Vomiting
  • Stomach pain
  • Headache
  • Muscle weakness
  • Skin rash
  • Fever with chills
  • Numbness of the hands
  • Hair loss
  • Decreased appetite

Uses of Colchicine

What is it prescribed for?

  • Acute Gout
  • Familial Mediterranean Fever
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Concerns

Commonly asked questions

  • Onset of action
    The effect of this medicine can be observed in 18 to 24 hours.
  • Duration of effect
    The effect of this medicine lasts for an average duration of 6 to 30 hours.
  • Safe with alcohol?
    Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
  • Is it habit forming?
    No habit forming tendency has reported.
  • Usage in pregnancy?
    This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women.
  • Usage while breast-feeding?
    This medicine is known to be excreted in breast milk. This medicine is not recommended in breastfeeding women unless necessary. The risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine. It is advised to take this medicine after breastfeeding to minimize the infant's exposure.

Allergy

Not recommended in patients with known allergy to Colchicine.

Impaired kidney function

Not recommended in patients with severe kidney disease.

Impaired Liver function

Not recommended in patients with severe liver disease.

Strong CYP3A4 inhibitors

Not recommended in patients receiving medicines like ritonavir, clarithromycin, ketoconazole.
Warnings for special population

Pregnancy

This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women.

Breast-feeding

This medicine is known to be excreted in breast milk. This medicine is not recommended in breastfeeding women unless necessary. The risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine. It is advised to take this medicine after breastfeeding to minimize the infant's exposure.
General warnings

Neuromuscular Toxicity

This medicine is known to cause neuromuscular toxicity and rhabdomyolysis especially in kidney disease and elderly patients. The treatment should be started at low doses and increased gradually based on the response. These symptoms resolve within a week or more after discontinuation of the treatment.

Fatal Overdose

This medicine is known to cause potential risk in adults and children who are exposed to doses more than prescribed. It is advised to keep this medicine out of the reach of children.

Electrolyte Disturbances

This medicine should be used with caution due to an increase in the risk of vomiting. This effect causes an imbalance in the sodium and potassium levels. Close monitoring of electrolyte level is necessary. The treatment should be initiated only when the electrolyte levels are corrected.

Missed Dose

The missed dose can be taken as soon as you remember. However, the missed dose should be skipped if it is almost the time for the next dose.

Overdose

Seek emergency medical treatment or contact the doctor in case of an overdose.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol

Description

Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.

Instructions

Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine

Metronidazole

Digoxin

Azole antifungal agents

Atorvastatin

Disease interactions

Bone marrow suppression

Colchicine should be used with caution due to the increased risk of Bone Marrow Suppression. Regular monitoring of blood counts is necessary to prevent further complications.

Cardiac Dysfunction

Colchicine should be used with caution in patients with heart diseases. The dose should be adjusted to prevent further complications.
Food interactions
Consumption of grapefruit juice is not recommended in patients receiving Colchicine. Any symptoms of abdominal pain, muscle pain, numbness should be reported to the doctor.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Take Colchicine as instructed by the doctor. Do not take larger quantities than prescribed. This medicine should be used with caution due to an increase in the risk of gastrointestinal effects like vomiting, diarrhea. Close monitoring of electrolytes and blood count is necessary. Do not take this medicine if you have a kidney or liver injury.
Miscelleneous

Can be taken with or without food, as advised by your doctor

To be taken as instructed by doctor

Does not cause sleepiness

How it works
It works by inhibiting the migration of natural substances that cause inflammation into the inflamed area.
Legal Status

Approved

Approved

Approved

Approved

Classification

Category

Antigout agents

Schedule

Schedule H

[Internet]. 2017 [cited 7 June 2017]. Available from:

https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/medicine/30536

DailyMed - Colchicine tablet [Internet]. Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2017 [cited 7 June 2017]. Available from:

https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=7daef7e2-888d-4116-81a9-2c02b9ef97ef

[Internet]. Toxnet.nlm.nih.gov. 2017 [cited 7 June 2017]. Available from:

https://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/search2

Prescribing medicines in pregnancy database [Internet]. Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). 2017 [cited 7 June 2017]. Available from:

https://www.tga.gov.au/prescribing-medicines-pregnancy-database#searchname

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Information on this page was last updated on 8 Jan 2018

Disclaimer

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